42. Defeating Evil Series

[IN GOD’S IMAGE 42 – DEFEATING EVIL]

This message is part of a series of 90 sermons based on the title, “In God’s Image – God’s Purpose for humanity.” This series of free sermons or the equivalent free book format is designed to take the reader through an amazing process beginning with God in prehistory and finishing with humanity joining God in eternity as His loving sons and daughters. It is at times, a painful yet fascinating story, not only for humanity, but also for God. As the sermons follow a chronological view of the story of salvation, it is highly recommend they be presented in numerical order rather than jumping to the more “interesting” or “controversial” subjects as the material builds on what is presented earlier. We also recommend reading the introduction prior to using the material. The free book version along with any graphics or figures mentioned in this series can be downloaded at www.ingodsimage.site - Gary Regazzoli

The last couple of sessions we talked about how God has justified us and reconciled us through the saving work of Jesus Christ.

• But we can’t leave this section surrounding the events of the cross without saying something about the destructive force that is “sin.”

• After all, this is the primary cause of the broken relationship between a holy God and His creation.

• Humanity was created to be in relationship with His Creator.

• The Creator not only brought man into existence, but also provided the means by which he would be sustained (Acts 17:28).

• His existence though was dependant on the created maintaining a healthy relationship of love and trust with His Creator.

• Under this arrangement, mankind enjoyed harmony, security, assurance and peace, not lacking anything.

• However, as we know when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by insisting on being their own gods rather than their Creator this special relationship was terminated and although God did not disinherit nor destroy his wayward children, He continued to sustain them but allowed them to reap the consequences of their decision to substitute themselves in the place of God.

• So rather than enjoying the peace and security offered by living a life under the guidance of their Creator, Adam and Eve now found themselves in the anxious, stressful and harrowing experience of living a life alienated from God, a life characterised by sin and guilt.

• Their sin was to assume a position reserved only for God Himself. The “created” assumed the role of the “Creator.”

• This is the basis of all sin, a lack of trust by the created in their Creator.

• The command, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3) was given to preserve the Creator’s place of honour in the relationship and why it is mentioned first in the Decalogue.

• This is why God takes our sin very seriously as it is a direct affront to Him personally. It is a rebellious creation thumbing their noses at their Creator and Father.

• Adam and Eve’s temporary existence continued but fellowship with a Holy God ceased as a result of their sin.

• This is why they went and hid themselves and humanity has been following their example ever since.

• But more than hiding is at stake. Now that humanity has cut themselves off from the true source of life, there can be only one consequence, physical and spiritual death.

• This is the ultimate result of self-willed humanity rebelling and choosing to trust themselves rather than His Creator.

• Mankind has, in effect, committed a form of suicide.

But now there is an additional problem. Not only has man cut himself off from the source of true life and fellowship with God, but also now his sin has created a corresponding separation from God’s point of view.

• As God’s holy nature is opposed to sin and evil, it now means humanity finds itself under God’s judgment.

• For God not to oppose sin would mean a total denial of all God stands for.

• He is a holy loving God, full of light and truth and as such has to oppose sin and evil in whatever forms it takes.

• But His opposition to, and judgment of sin, is with the intent of restoring the creature back into relationship with Him.

• As mentioned earlier, God’s goal is not the destruction of mankind, but salvation.

• Salvation means the restoration of the relationship where the creature trusts the design of the Creator.

• But it is precisely here in His opposition to sin and evil that God exercises His righteous anger.

• He is not going to allow evil to frustrate His purpose of sharing the life and love of the Trinity with His creation.